Dispersion machine



Aug. 30, 1932. w. A. BLACK 7 DISPERSION MACHINE Filed July 26, 1929 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 INVENTOR M/fiam 4. B/m% 54 ATTORNEYS 30, 1932- w. A. BLACK DISPERSION MACHINE 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed July 26, 1929 INVENTOR M/fi am 143/6317? BY 6) 0BR;

ATTORNEYS Patented Aug. 30, 1932 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE WILLIAM A. BLACK, 01 MONTCLAIR, NEW JERSEY, ASSIGNOR TO TRAVIS PROCESS COR- PORATION, OF JERSEY CITY, NEW JERSEY, A CORPORATION OF DELAWARE DISPERSION MACHINE Application filed July 26,

This invention relates to machines for disintegrating, deflocculating, comminuting, dispersing, mixing, homogenizing, emulsifying and the like, and more specifically to ma- 5 chines of that nature which are particularly adapted for soda-fountain, household and similar uses.

Heretofore, in the preparation for, example, of the common soda-fountain products such as mixtures of milk, ice-cream, chocolate, powdered malt products and the like, the nature and degree of mixing afiorded by the type of machine generally used therefor has been deficient in many respects. One exemplary and widely used mixer of this type comprisesa rapidly rotating vertical shaft terminating in a small disk-like agitator, which is inserted in a separable cup containing the materials to be mixed. The quality and degree of mixing obtainable by this machine is not at best of a particularly high order, and even simple requirements are met only by a protracted period of treatment.

Because of the relatively feeble disintegrat- 3 ing and dispersing action of this type of machine, its deficiencies are most marked where the dispersion of solids in liquids is involved. Mixtures of powdered malt products, chocolate or cocoa with milk, for example, when prepared in such a machine, are all too frequently characterized by coarse, gritty or lumpy incorporation of the solid ingredients. \Vhere the disintegration and dispersion of relatively tenacious solids is concerned, for example, bananas, strawberries, etc., this type of machine is practically inadequate and ineffective even with a prolonged operating period.

According to my invention the deficiencies of this and other common types of mixers are overcome, a wider field of operation is presented, and many other advantageous features are provided in addition, by the embodiment in a novel, practical and efficient machine, of certain notably effective principles of mechanical disintegration and dispersion. In recent years, considerable prominence has been accorded those principles of mechanical disintegration and fine dispersion embodied in colloid mills, so-called because 1929 Serial No. 381,216.

of their purported ability to reduce the size of particles to colloidal or ultra-microscopic 'dlmensions; These mills depend for their action upon the extremely intense disintegrating and dispersing forces set up in a film of liquid disposed between. closely adjacent, but non-contacting surfaces of various types, which move relatively to one another at very high speed. The effect of these forces when properly applied is to disintegrate or defiocculate the materials contained in the film, e. g. particles of solid, to very minute dimensions, and to disperse the minute particles very uniformly throughout the liquid constituting the film.

It is an object of my invention to provide a novel, practical and etficientmachine which will render generall available for application to the needs soda fountains, households and the like, the very desirable results obtainable by the action of these forces.

The manner in which I accomplish this and other objects of my invention, is described in detail in the following specification, taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which,

Fig. 1 is a vertical mid-section of the complete machine;

Fig. 2 is an elevation of the rotor member embodied therein;

Fig. 3 is a vertical mid-section of the portion of the casing which includes the stator surrounding said rotor member;

Fig. 4 is a horizontal section taken along the line 44 of Fig. 1 showing the relationship of the parts of a recirculating mechanism;

Figs. 5 and 6 are vertical mid-sections of the recirculating mechanism in different operating positions;

Fig. 7 is a vertical mid-section of the rotor and its mounting showing a sealing arrangement;

Fig. 8 is a plan view taken along the line 88 Fig. 1 showing the arrangement of a deflector plate in the receiver;

Fig. 9 is a side section of the same taken along the line 99 Fig. 1.

Referring to the drawings and in particular to Fig. 1, reference numeral 11 designates an electric motor of any suitable and wellknown type, mounted on a support 12 with its shaft 13 disposed in a Vertical position. The upper face of the motor is capped by a bed plate 14 having a cylindrical projection 15 provided with a bore 16, for the accom-- modation of the hub 17 of a rotor member 18 which is adapted to be actuated by the shaft 13. The rotor 18 is detachably secured to the shaft 13 for rotation therewith by means of an axial screw bolt 19, and this connection may be supplemented by a set screw or key 21 carried by the hub 17 and project ing into a cooperating longitudinal groove 22 in the shaft 13. The rotor 18 is provided with an annular channel 23 surrounding the hub 17 for the reception of a flange 24 .extending centrally of the projection '15 and circumscribing the bore 16', and the rotor 18 and bed plate 14 are so designed and assembled that the lower face of the-rotor lies closely adjacent to but at no place contacts with the upper face of the projection 15 or flange 24.

As shown in Figs. 1 and 2, the rotor 18 comprises a frusto-conical working surface 27 which is formed with a series of alternating flat-faced ribs or teeth 28 and axially disposed grooves 29 of curved cross-section, which form sharp edges 30 with the faces of the teeth, said grooves terminating a short distance from the ends of the working surface. This rotor surface 27 is disposed 'in very closely adjacent but non-contacting relationship to a cooperating stator working surface 31, which constitutes part of a casing 32, and as shown in Figs. 1 and 3, this stator surface is also provided with teeth 28 and grooves 29 similar to those on the rotor surface 27. The clearance between the surfaces 27 and 31 is very slight, ranging generally between .003 and .010 inches, and the narrow working gap 33 so formed, constitutes the zone of intense disintegrating and dispersing action into which the materials are introduced in liquid film form, as described in detail hereinafter.

The casing 32 which carries the stator surface 31. also comprises: an elongated receiver 34 terminating in the upper end of the stator surface, a circumferential discharge channel 35 formed in the wall of the casing at the lower end of the stator surface, for the reception of the liquid material discharged from the working gap 33, and a recirculating mechanism 36. This unitary casing assemblage is dctachably secured in position about the rotor by screw threaded engagement with the projection 15 as shown at 37.

This screw threaded engagementof the casing may be availed of, if desired, to vertically adjust the casing and its stator surface 31, whereby the clearance between the stator surface and the rotor surface 27 may be varied as required. For the treatment of the vast majority of materials, however, a fixed and predetermined clearance in the working gap 33, between .003.010 inches, is generally very satisfactory, and the parts of the machine are so proportioned and disposed that the same is-provided when the casing is screwed tightly against the bed plate 14.

The recirculating mechanism 36, shown in Figs. 1, 4, 5 and 6 is provided to permit the recirculation through the machine of cleaning fluid and also materials being treated, or alternatively to permit direct discharge of the same therefrom.

This mechanism comprises a three-way valve 38 consisting of a conical plug 39 provided with a duct 40 which may be brought into interconnecting relationship by rotation of a lever 41, with any one of three pairs of conduits.

In the position shown in Fig. 1, discharge conduit 42 leading from the discharge channel 35 is connected with the delivery spout or conduit 43, whereby the materials are discharged directly from the working gap 33. As shown in dotted lines in Fig. 4, the conduit 42 extends tangentially from the discharge channel 35 in the direction of rotation of the rotor, whereby the swirl of the liquid in the channel 35 will facilitate its discharge through conduit 42.

In the position shown in Fig. 5, the discharge conduit 42 isconnected with the conduit 44, whereby the materials are reintroduced into the machine at a point adjoining the inlet to the working-gap 33 for recirculation therethrough. As shown in full lines in Fig. 4, the conduit 44 extends tangentially of the casing, and inasmuch as the rotor is rotating in a direction opposed to the direction of flow of the liquid being returned through conduit 44, a violent churning therein will result upon its reintroduction into the machine, with resulting enhancement of the mixing operation.

In the position shown in Fig. 6, conduit 44 is connected with delivery spout 43, whereby cleaning fluid may he passed through the machine to wash out residue which is not drawn through the narrow working gap. Because of the tangential discharge of the liquid through the conduit 44 in the direction of rotation of the rotor, a high speed of swirling flow will be induced and will facilitate sweeping the residue out through conduit 44.

In order to reduce solid materials to a particle size whereby they will be readily drawn into the working gap 33, and to premix materials when recirculation is not resorted to, a macerator or pre-mixer 45 of inverted U or other shape may be attached to the rotor 18 for rotation therewith, and this may be accomplished by securing it between the head of the screw bolt 19 and a sleeve 46, or in any other suitable manner.

The high speed rotational movement of the zone of action of the macerator. In addition to arresting and deflecting the swirling liquid-in the receiver, this plate also aids in substantially eliminating any splatteringof the liquid from the receiver, as a result of the action of the macerator, and when such a plate is provided the use of a cap or cover for the receiver maybe dispensed with.

A deflector construction which I have found to be very effective for this purpose comprises a slightly bowed,'somewhat crescent-shaped plate 47 disposed diagonally ofthe receiver 34 in opposed relationship to the direction of rotation of the rotor. The plate cuts off approximately one-half of the normal opening in the receiver, and terminates at the bottom in the zone of action of the macerator 45. A'plurality of moderately large apertures 49fare provided along the line of contact of the plate 47 with the wall of the receiver 34 and elsewhere over the area of the plate, to eliminate entrapment of material upon the upper face of the plate and to enhance the premixing.

With such apertures present the liquid materials introduced will tend to pass directly through the apertures in flowing down the inclined plate, particularly along the line of contact of the plate and the receiver. While this will serve appreciably to avoid entrapment, the effectiveness of the construction is mainly ascribable to the vigorous plate-washing action which is occasioned by the forcing or surging of liquid through the apertures from the turbulent zone beneath.

In Fig. 7 I have shown a sealing arrangement for preventing the escape of liquid through the bore 16 and into the bearings and the motor. A frusto-conical or cylindrical sleeve 51 of rubber, or other suitably flexible material which will flare outwardly under the centrifugal action set up by the rotation of the rotor 18, is disposed in a rotor channel 25 surrounding the hub 17, and is detachably secured to the rotor in any suitable manner, for example by a screw-threaded ring 52 which detachably clamps the reinforced upper rim 53 of the rubber sleeve against the face of the rotor. When the rotor is at rest, the beaded ,or otherwise slightly weighter lower rim 54 of the sleeve 51 will lie in close contact with the upper faceof the projection 15, effectively preventing access of liquid in the machine to the bore 16. When the r tor is in motion, the centrifugal force set u?) will cause the sleeve 51 to flare upwardly and outwardly, raising the rim 54 out of contact with the projection 15 and into abutting relationship with the sloping wall 55 of the channel 25, as shown iirdotted lines in Fig. 7. This sleeve 51 may if desired, be reinforced by a framework of suitably flexible material disposed in the manner of umbrella ribs or in any other suitable fashion.

The operation of the machine is substantially as follows:

The intensity of the disintegrating and dispersing action in the working gap 33 is a function of the speed with which the rotor surface 27 moves relatively to the stator surface 31, and also of the thickness of the film of liquid lying between the surfaces (the width of the working gap 33); in general, the higher the speed and the thinner the film, the more intense the action. For the purposes andin the applications for which this machine is primarily intended, e. g. in the preparation of food products at soda-fountains and in the household, the intensity of action characterizing the usual industrial colloid mill operation is not always necessary ripheral speeds ranging between approxl- 1 mately ft./sec. and 100 ft./ sec. with a working gap clearance ranging between .003 inches and .010 inches, although obviously these ranges are not necessarily limiting and the speed may be materially increased and also the clearance to a slighter degree, as circumstances may dictate.

Taking as an exemplary operation, the dispersion of a yeast cake in milk, the valve 36 is set in the recirculating position shown in Fig. 5, and with the rotor operating at 85 ft./sec. and a working gap clearance of .008 inches, for example, the milk and yeast cake are introduced into the receiver 34. Upon coming into the zone of action of the macerator 45, the yeast cake will be disintegrated into small particles and will be pre-mixed with the milk prior to the subjection of the mixture to the intense action in the working gap 33. The swirl of liquid set up will be substantially arrested upon contact with the deflector plate 47, a substantial portion of the liquid mix being directed downwardly along the inner face of the plate and reintroduced into the macerating zone, while other portions will be forced through the apertures 49, enhancing the turbulence and consequently the mixing, and simultaneously serving to wash the upper face of the plate clear of any adhering particles of solid. For

a fine pre-homogenization, of milk for example, these apertures may'if desired be made very small and will aid in disrupting the fat globules.

The milk and disintegrated yeast will be continuously drawn into the working gap 33 by the powerful suction set up by the rotating conical rotor, and in the gap the liquid film of milk and yeast will be subjected to an intense disintegrating'and dispersing action,-which comprises a hydraulic film shearing between the cooperating flat faces of the rotor and stator teeth 28, 28, a high speed film beating between the passing sides and edges of the teeth, and a violent agitation or churning action in the grooves 29, 29. These and such other elements as may be comprised in the action, result in a disintegration of the particles of yeast to minute dimensions unobtainable by ordinary mixing devices, and in the fine and homogeneous dispersion of such particles throughout the milk.

The action in the working gap, and likewise the passage of the materials from the point of their introduction into the machine, is practically instantaneous, due principally to the accelerative effect of the rapidly rotating cone structure which acts much in the manner of a pump. Themixture in the working gap swirls rapidly and forcefully into the discharge channel 35 and thence out.

through the tangential discharge conduit 42.

The propulsive force upon the liquid material discharged from the working gap is quite substantial, and passing through duct 40, the mix is forcefully re-introduced into the machine through the tangentially disposed conduit 44, the contact of this ,re-entering current with the oppositely moving current in the receiver, being accompanied by a violent churning which serves still further to increasethe homogeneity of mixture of the materials.

Thereafter the re-introduced liquid mix is again drawn into the working gap and subjected to the action therein, and this recirculation is repeated until the desired extent of treatment is obtained. Due to the high speed of flow and the intense action in the machine, the period of recirculation need only be very short, for as a general rule very satisfactory results are obtained with hardly more than momentary delay of the discharge of the finished materials.

VVhen'the period of treatment is terminated the valve 36 is turned to the position shown in Fig. 1 and the finished dispersion of yeast in the milk is rapidly discharged through the delivery spout 43 into the waiting receptacle.

While in the foregoing operation recirculation of the materials being treated is specifically noted, effective treatment by this machine docs not necessarily involve the general use of recirculation, for in the treatment of many materials, e. g. the mixture of. liquids, excellent results may be obtained with a single passage of the materials'through the ma.- chine. In such cases the valve 36 is set in the position shown in Fig. 1, and the materials are jointly introduced into the machine, preferably in a slightly stirred or premixed batch, and are practically instantaneously discharged at the delivery spout 43,-in the form of a very fine homogeneous mixture.

The recirculation mechanism obviously serves a very desirable function in permitting prolongation of the treatment of mate rials where required, but it presents a more generally utilizable advantage in its application to washing the machine, to permit the prompt subsequent use of the machine for the treatment of different materials.

In washing the machine with recirculation of the cleaning fluid, the operation is substantially the same as in the treatment of materials as just described. A substantial quantity of wash water or other cleaning fluid is introduced into the machine and recirculated by the action thereof, to the extent necessary for thorough cleaning. After a short period of this vigorous recirculation, the valve 36 is then rotated to the position shown in Fig. 6, whereupon the cleaning fluid is rapidly discharged at the delivery spout, carrying with it any residue or sediment retained above the working gap as well as that collected in its passage through other parts of the machine. After this major portion of the wash water has been forced out, the "valve may then be turned to the normal delivery position shown in Fig. l, whereupon the slight amount of liquid retained in the working gap 33, discharge channel 35 and conduit 43 is also ejected.

In order to prevent the escape of liquid from the machine through the bore 16, and thence into the bearings and the motor in the absence of a protective deflecting shield below the bore, the bore-sealing arrangements shown in Figs. 1 and 7 are provided.

When the rotor is in operation, in either of these arrangements, liquid cannot pass inwardly through the narrow gap 56 between the base of the rotor 18 and the upper face of the projection 15 because of the powerful ejecting action of the centrifugal force set up by the high speed rotation of the rotor. When the rotor is at rest, however, this opposing centrifugal action is eliminated, and the liquid would normally tend to escape through the bore 16 if an appreciable head of liquid were present in the machine.

Suitable arrangementof the flange 26 and V the channel 23 of Fig. 1, to provide adequate height of flange and sufficient trapping space between the flange and the wall of the channel, will provide effective sealing of the bore when the rotor is at rest, if care is exercised to drain the machine to at least the level of the discharge conduit 44, previous to shutting off the motor.

The modified sealing arrangement shown in Fig. 7 however, permits the presence of large quantities of liquid in the machlne even when the motor is at rest, and for this reason presents material advantages over the construction of Fig. 1. As noted hereinbefore, when the rotor is at rest, the rim 54 of the sleeve 51 will lie in close contact with the upper face of the projection 15, and will sealthe bore 16 from the liquid in the machlne. When the rotor is in motion, the rim 5 1 will be raised out of contact with the projection 15 by the centrifugal force, and into the position shown in dotted lines in Fig. 7. This lifting of the sleeve avoids frictional wear of the rotating rim 54 by contact with the projection 15, and permits the centrifugal ejection through the gap 56 of any liquid which might have seeped between the sleeve 51 and flange 26, as well as that between the sloping wall 55 of the surrounding channel 25 and the sleeve.

With the invariably effective sealing of this arrangement, the machine may be utilized for temporary storage of finished mixtures and the like, it may be washed out without maintaining the rotor in operation, and in the event the operation of the rotor should be suddenly suspended during an operation, by motor trouble or otherwise, no leakage problem will be presented.

By the machine of my invention, a practical and efiicient embodiment of highly effective principles of disintegration and dispersion is made available, preferably altho not necessarily for application to the small scale mixing, disintegrating and similar needs of soda-fountains, households, restaurants and the like, with notably advantageous results over those obtained heretofore by the machines commonly used therefor.

In application to the requirements of sodafountains, for example, it provides finer, more homogeneous and much smoother mixtures of the materials capable of being 'treated by the agitating mixersnow commonly used, as well as others quite outside of the scope of such mixers, and accomplishes these results, furthermore, in greatly reduced time. When it is considered that the passage of a particle through the working gap 33 requires only a very small fraction of a second, the rapidity of treatment is readily conceivable, and even with the use of recirculation, hardly more than a momentary retardationof the direct operation is necessary to yield results far in advance of those obtainable by the prior agitating mixers.

In addition, the machine involves but slight operating expense, it can be quickly and thoroughly cleaned, and is readily accessible for inspection or repair. It extends greatly, moreover, the field of possible applia rotor and stator of the type shown in the drawings, wherein the surface grooves 29, 29' terminate-short of the ends of the rotor and stator. Due to the very slight clearance between the ungrooved surfaces at the entrance to the working gap 33, the hard seeds are strained out at the entrance to the gap, and may be washed out through conduit 44 after the operation has been completed. If such seed straining is not desired, however, rotor and stator surfaces can be used for example, wherein the grooves 29, 29' extend to the inlet ends of the rotor and stator.

In the incorporation of flavoring extracts and the like, the use of my machine permits furthermore, av material reduction in the quantity of extract ordinarily necessary. This is probably ascribable to the minute size to which the globules of flavoring extract are reduced and dispersed in the liquid medium by the action of the machine. The intensity of the taste produced by the flavoring varies with the area of surface contact with' the tongue, and by reducing the particle size, and consequently increasing the surface area, the same intensity of taste may be produced by the use of a smaller amount of the flavoring.

An additional demonstration of the advantageous capabilities of the machine is found in the treatment of milk, for when lower grades of milk, e. g. what is commonly referred to as grade B, are passed through the machine the resulting product is very noticeably richer tothe taste than the untreated milk, and than grade A milk as well.

In addition to the various applications noted hereinbefore, the machine is also of very efl'ective use in the reconstitution of milk and the like from their powders, a very desirable application in the tropics and aboard ship; also in the preparation of sauces, dressings and a wide variety of other food products, in the compounding of pharmaceutical products, in the acceleration of chemical reactions, and in many other applications involving disintegration, dispersion, mixing, homogenizing and the like, where a suitable amount of liquid is present.

While I have described a preferred structural embodiment of the machine, it is to be understood that my invention is not limitedthereto, but is capable of being modified in various ways and of being used for large as well as small scale appllcations. Further, the cooperating surfaces of the rotor and stator need not be limited to the specific type shown, but may, for example, be constituted entirely smooth or have alternate circumferential bands of grooved and smooth surfaces; and the grooves shown may also be aligned at a slight angle to the arms of the cone either in the same or opposite directions on the rotor and stator respectively.

The macerator or pre-mixer shown may likewise be replaced by other macerating or pro-mixing elements of suitable designs or may be dispensed within various applications'; the slope of the cone may be altered; the cone structure may be disposed. in reversed position with the inlet. to the working gap at the larger end thereof, and the rotor made detachable, in which large end feeding means should be provided for forcing materials through the gap against the opposing centrifugal force; the cone structure may also be replaced by a cylindrical construction with means to cause the materials to flow through the gap; and various other modifications may be made within the scope of my invention.

These modifications are noted as exemplary and not restrictive variations of my structure, and my invention contemplates the use of all such equivalent elements or embodiments as may fall within the scope ofv the following claims:

I claim:

1. A machine for mixing, dispersing, disintegrating and similarly treating iquid material which comprises a receiver for said material, a rotor member having a peripheral working surface adapted to be moved at high speed, a stator member connected with said receiver and surrounding said rotor member having a working surface disposed in concentric, closely-adjacent relationship to said rotor surface and defining therewith a narrow intervening working gap in which such material is so treated, a conduit communicating with the outlet of said gap for receiving the material dischargedtherefrom, a conduit adapted for communication with said first-named conduit for delivering said material externally of the machine, a conduit communicating with the inlet of said gap at a point adjacent said inlet and adapted for communication with said first-named conduit for reintroducing material into said gap, and unitarily operated means for selectively connecting said firstnamed conduit with either of the other two conduits and closing the remaining conduit.

2. A machine for mixing, dispersing, disintegrating and similarly treating liquid material which comprises a receiver for said material, a rotor member having a peri heral working surface adapted to be move at high speed, a stator member connected with said receiver and surroundin said rotor member having a working sur ace disposed in concentric, closely ad acent relationshi to said rotor surface and defining therewit a narrow intervening working gap in which such material is so treated, a conduit communicating withthe outlet of said gap for receiving the material discharged therefrom, a conduit for delivering material externally of the machine, a conduit havin one end disposed at a point in advance of and at a point adjacent the inlet to said gap and communicating therewith, and unitarily operated means for selectively connecting any two of said conduits and closing the third.

3. A machine for mixing, distintegrating, dispersing and similarly treating liquid materials which comprises, a casing having a generally cylindrical stator surface disposed interiorly thereof, a rotor member mounted Within said casing having a similar peripheral surface disposed in concentric, closely spaced relationship to said stator surface and defining therewith a narrow intervening gap in which said materials are so treated, a conduit for conducting away materials discharged from said gap, a conduit for reintroducing or discharging materials at a point in advance of said gap, said conduits being disposed tangentially of said casing whereby the flow of materials discharged from the machine through said conduits will be in the same general direction as that in which the rotor rotates, a delivery conduit for delivering materials from said machine at a point externally thereof, and valve means for connecting any two and closing the other of said conduits.

4. In a machine for treating liquid material, the combination which comprises, a member having an aperture therein, and arotatable liquid-impervious wall adapted when at rest to lie in close contact with said member in surrounding relationship to said aperture, said wall being of flexible construction whereby the centrifugal force set up in its rotation will cause it to be displaced from contact with said member when in motion.

5. In a machine for treating liquid material the combination which comprises, a member having an aperture therein, a rotatable member superposed in closely spaced relationship to said apertured member, and a liquid-impervious wall of flexible construc tion depending from and rotatable with said rotatable member, said wall being adapted when at rest to lie in close contact with said apertured member in surrounding relationship to said aperture and when in motion to be lifted out of contact with said apertured member by the action of the centrifugal force set up by the rotation.

6. In a machine for treating liquid material, the combination which comprises a plate having an aperture therein, and a rotatable member having a liquid-impervious wall disposed about said aperture in close contact with said plate to seal said aperture, sald wall being adapted to be displaced from rubbing contact with the apertured member by the centrifugal force set up upon rotation of the rotatable member.

7. In a machine for treating liquid material, the combination whi'ch comprises, a member having an aperture therein, and a member having means contacting closely with said apertured member in surrounding relationship to said aperture to seal the same against the escape of liquid therethrough, said members being relatlvely movable, and said means being adapted to be moved out of contact with said aperture member during relative motion of said members.

8. In a machine for treating liquid material, the combination which comprises, a member having an aperture therein, and l1quid-impervious means disposed in close contact with said member to seal said aperture, said member and said means being relatively movable and said means being adapted to be displaced from contact with said member during relative motion of said member and said means.

9. In a machine for treating liquid material, the combination which comprises, a member having an aperture therein, and a liquid-impervious member movable with re- 1 'spect to said apertured member adapted when at rest to lie in closely contacting relationshipWith the apertured member to seal the aperture, and when in motion to move in spaced relationship to said apertured member.

10. In a machine for treating liquid material, the combination which comprises, a member having an aperture therein, and a rotatable member having liquid-impervious means adapted to lie in close contact with said apertured member to seal said aperture against the escape of liquid therethrough when said rotatable member is at rest, and to move in spaced relationship to said apertured member during rotation of said rotatable member.

11. In a machine for treating liquid material, the combination which comprises, a plate having a bore therein, and a rotatable member having a liquid-impervious wall adapted to be disposed about said bore in contact with said plate to seal said bore when said rotatable member is at rest and to be moved out of contact with said plate by the centrifugal force set upon rotation of the member, and an abutment in said member against which said wall contacts when flared outwardly by the centrifugal force.

12. In a machine for treating liquid material, the combination which comprises, a plate having a bore therein, a rotatable shaft extending through said bore, a rotatable member connected with said shaft in closely spaced, superposed relationship to said plate, said member having an annular channel in its lower face surrounding said shaft, and a liquid-impervious sleeve disposed about said bore having its upper rim detachably secured in said channel and having its lower rim contacting closely with said plate when said shaft is at rest, whereby said bore is sealed against the escape of liquid therethrough, said lower rim being adapted to be lifted out of contact with said plate by centrifugal force when said shaft is rotated.

13. In a machine for treating liquid material the combination which comprlses a base plate having a bore therein, a rotatable shaft extending through said here, a member attached. to said shaft for rotation therewith having its lower face superposed in closely spaced relationship to said plate, said member having an annular channel in said lower face about said shaft, and a flexible sleeve disposed about-said bore with its upper rim detachably secured in said channel and with its lower rim in contacting relationship with said platewhen said shaft is at rest whereby said bore is sealed against the escape of liquid therethrough, said lower rim being adapted to be lifted out of contact with said plate 'and into abutting relationship with the wall of said channel upon rotation of said member as a result of the action of centrifugal force set up by such rotation.

14. A machine for mixing, disintegrating, dispersing and the like which comprises, a vertically disposed rotatable shaft, a mounting plate surrounding said shaft, a cylindrical projection extending from said mounting plate and having a central bore therein accommodating said shaft, a central flange extending upwardly from said projection and circumscribing said bore, a rotor member disposed in closely spaced superposed relationship to the face of said projection, a hub extending from said rotor into said bore and secured to said shaft for rotation therewith, said rotor having a sloping walled annular channel surrounding said hub, a frusto conical sleeve. of flexible waterproof material surrounding said hub and secured in said channel by its upper rim, said sleeve being adapted to have its bottom rim lie in close contact with the face of said projection when the rotor is at rest to seal said bore against the escape of liquid therethrough, and adapted to be lifted out of contact with said plate and into abutting relationship with the wall of said channel by the centrifugal force set up upon rotation of the rotor.

15. A machine for mixing, dispersing. disintegrating and similarly treating liquid material which comprises, a rotor member and a stator member, the surfaces of which define a zone in which said material is so treated, a receiver terminatinginsaid zone for feedingmaterials thereto, and a deflecting plate disposed in said receiver intermediate the mouth of said receiver and said zone and sloping generally from top to bottom in said receiver, said plate extending outwardly from the wall of said receiver and having apertures provided therein along the line of contact with said wall.

In testimony whereof I aflix my signature. WILLIAM A. BLACK. 

